The United Nations recently hosted a high-level dialogue on the situation of Palestinian children detained by the Israeli occupation. The event, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, was initiated by the Permanent Mission of Palestine to the UN, in coordination with the Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs and the missions of Jordan and Ireland, as well as the organization "Save the Children". The dialogue focused on the abuses and violations committed against Palestinian children during detention and imprisonment.
The dialogue highlighted the systematic and arbitrary detention of Palestinian children, as well as the torture and ill-treatment they face. According to the Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, Palestinian children are subjected to enforced disappearance, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment. He also noted that the UN has verified multiple incidents of sexual violence against Palestinian children, and that some have been used as human shields.
The Palestinian representative also reported that dozens of Palestinian children have been killed while in detention, and that many others have been disappeared, with their fate remaining unknown. He cited the case of 17-year-old Walid Ahmed from the town of Silwad, who died in detention last year, with his autopsy showing that he had been subjected to starvation.
Despite the documented record of Israeli violations and the repeated condemnation of its practices, Palestinian children continue to be denied protection. The Irish Prime Minister expressed his country's support for the Palestinian people and condemnation of Israeli abuses against Palestinian children, calling for special protection for them and the release of detained children.
The high-level dialogue heard testimony from a 15-year-old Palestinian child who was detained by Israeli forces, describing the starvation, ill-treatment, and repression he faced. The event marked the first time a high-level dialogue on the issue had been held during the UN General Assembly's high-level week, with senior officials in attendance.
Participants in the dialogue called for the need to provide protection to Palestinian children and to hold Israel accountable for its actions. They also emphasized the importance of ensuring that Israeli forces are held accountable for the violations they commit against Palestinian children.
The event highlighted the need for the international community to take action to protect Palestinian children and to address the root causes of the violations they face. The UN has previously listed Israeli forces on a list of parties that commit grave violations against children, including sexual violence.
Key points
- The UN holds Israel accountable for grave violations against children.
- Palestinian children face systematic and arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment.
- The international community is called upon to provide protection to Palestinian children and hold Israel accountable.
